Skim off

Pro Tip 1/3

Cooking Context

Used often in cooking to mean removing unwanted parts from liquids like soups or stocks.

After boiling the bones, skim off the impurities to get a clear broth.

Pro Tip 2/3

Surface Action

It usually involves a gentle, careful action to clear the liquid’s surface without disturbing the remainder.

Carefully skim off any oil that has risen to the top of the sauce.

Pro Tip 3/3

Literal Meaning

It can be used literally to refer to the physical act of removing something from the surface.

Use a net to skim off leaves floating in the pool.